The 2023 Topps Baseball set is one of the most anticipated releases each year, as it marks the start of the new baseball season. While every year brings exciting rookies and star players to collect, some cards tend to stand out more than others. Here are some of the top cards collectors will be chasing from the 2023 Topps Baseball release:
Shohei Ohtani Base Rookie Variation (#156)
Perhaps the most coveted card in the entire set is the Shohei Ohtani base rookie variation. Only 10 of these rare parallels were inserted into packs, making them extremely difficult to pull. Featuring Ohtani in an Angels uniform from his true rookie season of 2018, this card captures one of the game’s brightest stars at the start of his phenomenal career. With Ohtani’s continued two-way success and growing popularity, these scarce rookies are sure to become some of the set’s most valuable long-term holdings. Even raw non-graded copies are selling for well over $1,000 due to the card’s iconic subject and limited print run.
Aaron Judge Autograph (#150)
As Aaron Judge chases the single-season home run record, collector interest in one of the game’s top sluggers is at an all-time high. The 2023 Topps base autograph of Judge is poised to be one of the set’s most sought-after rookie autograph cards. While Judge’s signature is found on numerous products each year, the iconic Topps design combined with his current on-field dominance makes this an autograph collectors won’t want to miss. Pristine PSA 10 grades have already topped $500, showing strong early demand that will likely remain high throughout Judge’s career.
Rookie Cards of 2022 First-Round Picks
Each year’s Topps set serves as the true rookie card issue for the previous draft’s top selections. The 2023 release features the debut cards of many impact prospects from the 2022 draft class, headlined by Druw Jones (#290), Elijah Green (#320), and Brooks Lee (#350). While it’s too early to know their ultimate career trajectories, these players were some of the most heralded amateur talents and their rookie cards are sure to attract strong initial interest. Keep an eye out also for other early picks like Chase DeLauter (#260) and Sterlin Thompson (#280) who could emerge as steals if they meet their potentials in pro ball.
Mike Trout Superfractor Parallel (#91)
The elusive 1/1 parallel remains one of the true holy grails for any Topps set. In 2023, that honor goes to Mike Trout’s superfractor card. As one of the greatest players of all time and a perennial fan favorite, Trout is a perfect candidate to headline this ultra-rare parallel. While there is no guarantee one will ever surface, the possibility of its appearance keeps the card a major talking point. If a Trout superfractor does end up in a collector’s hands, it would instantly become one of the most valuable modern baseball cards in existence due to its subject and scarcity.
Rookie Debuts of 2022 Call-Ups
In addition to draft picks, each year’s Topps set also features the true rookie cards of many young players who made their MLB debuts in the previous season. Some names to watch for in the 2023 release include Bobby Witt Jr. (#90), Adley Rutschman (#110), Spencer Strider (#170) and Oneil Cruz (#210). While their rookie seasons saw varied levels of success and playing time, these players all showed tantalizing skills that could portend stardom with more experience. Their Topps rookie cards represent the first opportunity to invest in their careers from the beginning and could become valuable long-term holdings.
Autographs of Top Young Stars
In addition to Aaron Judge, collectors will want to hunt for autographed rookie cards of other rising talents like Ronald Acuña Jr. (#80), Juan Soto (#100) and Wander Franco (#120). These players have all made immediate impacts on the league and appear poised for superstardom. With continued production, their signed rookie cards from Topps’ flagship set hold great potential to gain in value as their careers progress. Rarer parallels like Acuña’s gold vinyl or Soto’s black border could become true trophies for dedicated collectors if those players cement all-time great legacies.
Vintage Player Throwbacks
A fun annual inclusion is Topps’ throwback style cards paying homage to the early designs of the 1950s and 1960s. Notable veterans featured in 2023 include Mike Trout (#60), Clayton Kershaw (#70) and Albert Pujols (#150) among others. While not true vintage issues, these retro-styled cards capture the players’ modern-day likenesses in a classic aesthetic. They make for attractive additions especially for collectors who appreciate connections to the history of the hobby. Parallel versions also exist, with parallels like the Trout gold vinyl being particularly eye-catching tribute pieces.
Base Rookies of Top Prospects
In addition to draft picks, the set also provides the true rookie cards for many top prospects who spent 2022 in the minors. Names to watch include Julio Rodriguez (#30), Bobby Miller (#130), Jeremy Peña (#150) and Steven Kwan (#180) who all broke out last season. While playing time and stats will determine future values, these rookies represent an early chance to acquire cards of talents that could develop into future stars. Their long-term potential makes them smart speculative additions, especially for set collectors wanting full rookie classes.
Parallels and Short Prints
No Topps release would be complete without its array of scarce parallels and short prints adding to the excitement of the hunt. In 2023, special attention will be given to rare inserts of superstar veterans like Mike Trout and cards like Shohei Ohtani’s black border short print (#157). For set builders, locating parallel and SP versions of key rookies like Druw Jones adds another layer of completion. Meanwhile, the thrill of the chase for collectors is finding gems like a 1/1 printing plate or gold vinyl parallel of a future Hall of Famer.
This covers some of the most notable cards to watch for in the upcoming 2023 Topps Baseball release. With rookies of future stars, tributes to legends, and always the chance for spectacular hits, the set is sure to excite collectors both casual and dedicated. For those building complete rainbow sets or high-end single card collections, it will once again provide foundational pieces and opportunities to invest early in the careers of today’s brightest talents.
